We Learned to Cook

  • Subscribe
  • About Us!
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Subscribe
  • About Us!
  • Contact
search icon
Homepage link
  • Subscribe
  • About Us!
  • Contact
×
Home » Other Bites

Homemade Lemonade Recipe

Published: Feb 24, 2025 by Mike & Nicole · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Once you make a pitcher of your very own homemade lemonade recipe, you won’t want to go back to buying it from the store. Nothing is more delicious than a chilled sip of luscious lemonade with its sweet and sour goodness.

homemade lemonade recipe

Skip store-bought options and save money by making this affordable drink with pantry staples. Make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge—it tastes even better chilled and allows for stress-free hosting.

Got lemons? This is your sign…

Love trying new thirst quenchers? You’ve got to make our Instant Pot blackberry iced tea – friends, it’s incredible!

Jump to:
  • Why You’ll Love this Recipe
  • Ingredient and Substitution Notes
  • Instructions
  • Variations of this Homemade Lemonade Recipe
  • Top Tips
  • Storage Notes
  • FAQ
  • Related
  • Pairing

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

Need more reasons to whip up this homemade lemonade? Here’s why we have to have a pitcher on the table in the summertime:

  • Fresh and natural: Made with freshly squeezed lemons, this recipe delivers a bright, authentic flavor that bottled versions just can’t match.
  • Easy to make: With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can whip up this lemonade in minutes—no fancy equipment needed!
  • Make it as sweet as you like: We love that we get to decide exactly how sweet our lemonade will be. That’s the beauty of homemade.

Ingredient and Substitution Notes

homemade lemonade ingredients

It doesn’t take much to whip up homemade lemonade:

  • Sugar: Just good old white sugar, friends.
  • Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is key – don’t use bottled lemon juice. Always strain the juice to remove seeds and pulp for a smoother drink. Use ripe lemons for the tastiest juice that’s easy to extract.

Optional add-ins

  • Slices of lemon: These look so pretty – you could also mix lemon and lime slices.
  • Ice cubes: Essential for serving chilled lemonade, especially on a hot day. For a pretty garnish, freeze some with lemon zest or mint leaves.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

sugar in pan
  • Step 1 - Make the syrup using water and sugar
half lemon on juicer
  • Step 2 - Juice the lemons
empty pitcher with syrup and lemon juice
  • Step 3 - Combine the syrup and lemon juice
homemade lemonade in pitcher
  • Step 4 - Chill and serve

Variations of this Homemade Lemonade Recipe

Play around and make a homemade lemonade with a fun twist:

  • Lavender: Add 1-2 teaspoons of dried culinary lavender to the sugar and water when making the simple syrup. Strain the lavender before mixing it in.
  • Cucumber: Add thin slices of cucumber or blend cucumber with a little water to make a puree, then stir it into the lemonade. We feel like we are at the spa when we drink this version, ha!
  • Spicy: Stir in a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few slices of fresh jalapeño.
  • Watermelon: Blend fresh watermelon chunks into juice and replace some or all of the water with the watermelon juice. Strain for a smoother texture and garnish with a watermelon slice.
  • Berry: Add 1 cup of pureed fresh or frozen berries like strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries to the lemonade for a fruity twist. Strain the puree or leave it as is.
  • Herby: Infuse the simple syrup with fresh herbs like mint, basil, or rosemary while it's cooling. Remove the herbs before mixing with the lemon juice.
  • Sparkling: Replace the 4 cups of cold water with sparkling water or club soda for a fizzy version of this classic drink. Add it just before serving to keep the carbonation intact.

Top Tips

It’s pretty simple to make but here are our little tips to great results:

  • Use chilled ingredients: Cold water and chilled lemons help keep your lemonade icy and refreshing.
  • Serve it in a pretty glass: A clear pitcher or mason jar glasses show off the bright yellow color beautifully. For summer parties, rim the glasses with sugar or colored sprinkles.
  • Use fresh lemons: Freshly squeezed lemon juice makes a world of difference! Bottled juice can taste dull so we suggest skipping it.
  • Adjust sweetness to taste: Start with the recipe's sugar amount and tweak as needed. If you prefer less sugar, reduce the amount or add a sugar alternative like stevia or agave.
  • Chill before serving: Let the lemonade chill in the fridge for at least an hour before serving for optimal refreshment. Ice is great, but pre-chilling helps get a consistently cold drink.
homemade lemonade overhead

Storage Notes

Stored in an airtight container, homemade lemonade stays fresh for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Stir it well before serving, as the flavors can settle.

Freezing

Pour leftover lemonade into an airtight container, leaving some space for expansion as it freezes.

For convenience, freeze it in ice cube trays. This way, you can chill future drinks without watering them down or use the cubes for slushy-style lemonade.

Store frozen lemonade or cubes for up to 3 months. Label the container with the date to keep track of freshness.

FAQ

How can I make this lemonade less sweet?

Reduce the amount of sugar in the simple syrup or add more water to dilute the sweetness. You can also use natural sweeteners like honey or stevia for a lighter flavor.

Can I use sparkling water instead of still water?

Absolutely! Sparkling water adds a fizzy twist to your lemonade, making it feel extra refreshing. Add it just before serving to hold onto the carbonation.

Can I scale up the recipe for a larger crowd?

Absolutely. Just multiply the ingredients proportionally to fit your needs. For example, double the ingredients to make a larger batch.

Why does my lemonade taste bitter?

Bitterness may come from over-squeezing the lemons or including too much of the pith (the white part). Stick to juicing the flesh only, and strain the juice well.

Can I make sugar-free lemonade?

Yes! Use a sugar substitute like stevia, monk fruit, or erythritol instead of sugar for a sugar-free version. Adjust the amount to taste.

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

  • instant pot applesauce
    Instant Pot Applesauce
  • two glasses of chocolate peanut butter smoothie
    Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie Recipe
  • two glasses of instant pot blackberry iced tea
    Instant Pot Blackberry Iced Tea
  • creamy pumpkin mousse with cookies
    Creamy Pumpkin Mousse with Maple Whipped Cream

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with homemade lemonade:

  • crispy cauliflower bites overhead
    Crispy Cauliflower Bites
  • instant pot sesame garlic wings on serving tray
    Instant Pot Sesame Garlic Wings
  • zesty italian pasta salad
    Zesty Italian Pasta Salad
  • air fryer potato chip chicken tenders
    Air Fryer Potato Chip Chicken Tenders

homemade lemonade recipe

Homemade Lemonade Recipe

Mike & Nicole
Sweet and sour all at once – make homemade lemonade with simple ingredients and none of the nasties.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 5 minutes mins
Chill Time 27 minutes mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup sugar adjust to taste
  • 1 cup water for the syrup
  • 1 cup lemon juice about 4-6 lemons, freshly squeezed
  • 4 cups cold water to dilute

Optional Add-Ins

  • Slices of lemon for garnish
  • Ice cubes

Instructions
 

  • Make the simple syrup: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil and stir until the sugar has dissolved completely. Remove from heat and let it cool for about 30 minutes.
  • Juice the lemons: While the syrup is cooling, juice the lemons to make 1 cup of lemon juice. Strain the juice to remove seeds and excess pulp for a smoother lemonade.
  • Combine and mix: In a large pitcher, combine the cooled syrup, lemon juice, and 4 cups of cold water. Stir well.
  • Adjust flavor as needed: Taste your lemonade and adjust the sweetness or tartness by adding more sugar, lemon juice, or water according to your preference.
  • Chill and serve: Add ice cubes directly to the pitcher or to individual glasses. Garnish with lemon slices and mint leaves if desired. Serve chilled.
Keyword Homemade Lemonade
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

  • black bean and rice enchiladas
    Black Bean & Rice Enchiladas with Queso Fresco
  • stack of potato fritters
    Easy Potato Fritters
  • three frozen vanilla yogurt bites on plate
    Frozen Vanilla Yogurt Bites
  • gluten free blueberry pancakes
    Gluten Free Blueberry Pancakes

Comments

No Comments

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Meet Mike & Nicole

Just a couple of amateur chefs falling in love...with cooking! We're a husband-and-wife team sharing simple, delicious recipes to bring couples closer!

More about us

Popular

  • instant pot buffalo chicken wings
    Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Wings
  • chicken chopped salad
    Chopped Chicken Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
  • slow cooker mongolian beef in bowl
    28 Mouthwatering Slow Cooker Dinner Recipes
  • homemade lemonade recipe
    Homemade Lemonade Recipe

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Affiliate Disclosure

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! to get our latest recipes right in your inbox!

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 WeLearnedtoCook.com

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this!
Thank you for sharing this recipe

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required